CNN topped Fox News and MSNBC in the demo during that block, with 1.107 million adults ages 25-54. It also led the cable news networks during primetime (3.573 million total viewers vs. Fox News' 1.666 million total viewers and MSNBC's 1.365 million total viewers) and in total day (1.923 million total viewers vs. Fox News' 1.104 million total viewers and MSNBC's 1.095 million total viewers).

Overall, however, all three networks saw huge drops in viewership from the 2009 inauguration, as noted by The New York Times. Fox News was down the most, with a 75% drop-off from 5.291 million total viewers for the oath and the speech in 2009. CNN was down 61%, compared to 8.119 million total viewers. MSNBC saw a drop-off of 25%.